March is the month to buy new fishing and hunting licenses in Minnesota, with last year’s license now expired, but this should be the last year you ever have to sign your name on a piece of paper and keep your license in your wallet.
The Minnesota Legislature is moving to pass bills this session that will pave the way to an electronic licensing system for hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing and other outdoor pursuits starting March 1, 2025, when next year’s licenses go on sale.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has been moving ahead with the effort since 2021 and is preparing to roll it out next year. But lawmakers first must change several state statutes that require anglers and hunters to have a paper copy of their license on their person. (Currently, only some fishing licenses qualify for an electronic image.)
The bills are advancing through the committee process and don’t appear to be controversial.
When the new system is activated, license holders can conduct all their DNR business on a free app and simply have their license available on their smartphone. Once the license is purchased and in the app, the app will call up the license even if there isn’t phone or internet service.
The system also will allow people to have a simple screenshot of their licenses.
Jennifer Coleman, the DNR’s electronic license system project manager, said the vendor, Kansas City-based PayIt Outdoor, has built similar systems for other states, including Ohio and Arkansas, Michigan and Kansas.
“We have a robust plan to have this ready by March 1,” Coleman said.
But, should something go wrong, Coleman said the DNR can revert to the current system to issue licenses.
“We’ve been on our current system for 20 years, and with anything new, there are usually things you don’t expect,” she said. “We’re confident it will be ready by then, but we have a contingency if something comes up.”
People will still be able to print a paper copy of their license to carry if they choose, or they can go to one of the hundreds of stores across the state that are DNR license agents and have their license printed.
Anyone buying a hunting or fishing license, stamp or trail pass in Minnesota will be able to purchase and store the license on a smartphone app starting March 1, 2025, under legislation advancing at the state Capitol. (Courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission via ForumNews Service)
But even at the license agents, it’s going to be plain paper, not the durable blue license paper used now, Coleman said.
Minnesota is hardly breaking ground going to e-licensing. North Dakota has had it in some form since 2001 and went to 100% electronic licensing in 2016, said Randy Meissner, licensing manager for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
“We haven’t had many problems with the system,” Meissner told the News Tribune. “We’re pretty satisfied with how it’s been working.”
For ATVs, boats and snowmobiles, owners still will need to register their vehicles and get durable stickers at any county deputy registrar’s office, as they do now. But annual trail passes — for skiing, horseback riding and snowmobiling — can be purchased and held in the app or electronically, just like a fishing license.
Harvest registrations, such as for deer, bear and turkey, will be able to be done using the app. Lottery status and preference points can also be checked on the app.
The DNR is adding an online event management system so you can find, enroll and pay for education and safety training classes, like firearms, ATVs and snowmobiles, and print duplicates of your safety certificates. Once you pass safety certifications, you will be able to buy licenses immediately through the same system.
The DNR opted not to participate in a “hard card” credit-card-type license program as some states and Canadian provinces have, saying it was an added cost and that there’s no need for a card if you are in the system online.
For more information on the new system, go to engage.dnr.state.mn.us/new-electronic-license-system.
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